Road brush



Sept-.21, 1943- 0. w; BENTLEY r-rrm. 2,330,025

fioAnBnusH Filed Aug. 12, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ora W. Benl'leg t By Charles L. S1'over Gttomegi' p 1943? 0. w. BENTLEY ETAL. I 2,339,025

ROAD BRUSH Filed Aug. 12, 1940 3 SheetsSheet 2 Zhmentor en+ I @g aw Chawles Ln S'iover 3 1" 1, a,

Gttornegs p 19413 0. w. BENTLEY ETAL. 2,33%,825

ROAD BRUSH Filed Aug. 12, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3' 3nnentor Om Ben'l'leg u Charles L. ovew Patented Sept. 21, 1943 UNITED STATE ROAD BaUsH- Ora w. Bentley and Charles L. saver, Seattle,

Wash, assignors to Ora W.'Bentley, doingbusiness as Northwest Toro (30., "Seattle, Wash. Application August 12, ieioaseriamc; 353,28 1

(mus-s21 llCiailns.

invention relates to a road brush, incorporating a rotary broom of large size and cone siderable weight, having ,many uses, such as brushing loose dirt ,upon a finished hard-surfaced roadway, distributing the top surface-of, a gravel roadway, or cleaning the surface of-a hole, which is to be patched, inan oil oriasphalt road, and snow removal from streets .andhighways.

It .is ,desirable to arrange such brooms sometimes, to sweep straight ahead, sometimes to sweep to. theright, and, sometimes to sweep to'the left, instead of their being fixedmore or less in ,oneposition, and the provision of a broom and supportto this end ,is one of the objects of the invention. i

With suchlan arrangement itis necess'arythat the broom be so mounted that it may tilt side- ,wise, whatever its transversely swung position, to the end that itmay follow closely and conform to the irregularities of surface contour and of slope of the roadway. It is also necessary that it be somountedthat the degree of its pressure upon the roadway "in anyposition may be addusted at will, and in such a way that in movement from one point of use to another the broom may be entirely lifted clear of the roadway. 7

Thus the desired movements of the broom are .in efiect about three axesa sidewise tilting about a substantially horizontal longitudinal-axis, a transverse swinging about an upright, usually centrally disposedaxis, and a bodily lifting movement about a transverse horizontal axis, andit is an object so to mount thebroom that it may partake of any of these movements independently of or without regard to the broomsposition about another axis,,and notwithstandingits weight and the necessityof making it sufi'iciently rugged for long, troublefree use. H c 7 It is, of course, desirable tofix its transversely swung position to whatever angle is desired, and so to fix it in this transversely swung position that its freedom of .sidewise tilting and of bodily lifting arehot affected- Likewise it is desirable to mount such a brush, or to provide means whereby it maybe mounted, upon a road vehicle ,such as is commonly called a tractor or utility vehicle, in such manner that the broom may be power driven, preferably by a is to :be iusedvifor other ,purposes, among the objects of this invention. xAmong :cther snore specific "obj ects are the pro- Nision of suitahlemechanism to simply antimonveniently accomplish, thezabove endsand in par- .ticular .the provision of. mechanism which will properly (and resiliently support the. broom and take :atsleast part of its weight from'thevehicle, yet still so arranged :as,..to;permit.the required movements of. the broom without .interierence.

It. is also an essentialobjecttoiconstructthe brushruggedly, forit must withstand all sorts of abuse and "rough usage, in practical operation.

,; In athe drawings the invention, embodied in a typical form, has been shown as ,mounted upon a tractoror utility vehicle,,generally designated a ,roadyehicle, but it willbe understood that. the 'formpof'the vehicle itself is inotrn irt of the in- .vention, rnor,,-except in, ageneral sense, .is the Thesejjare particularmanner in which the-brush;i's-mcunted upon the vehicle..-

, Figure .1 isaside assessor the roadvehicl andmoadbroom in assembled-and operative,r. el a tion,.with the .brush moved about thejaxis' of transverse swinging. to brushstraight ahead H FigureZis aplan view of-the same combinati'on, showing the capability 'oi adjustmentby motor carried upon the frame wher'eon theibroom transverserswingingofthe broom I W tlQKQl away, of the same combination. I E'igures 4 v and 5 are. front, 1eleyations, -showing thee-manner in which the broom tilts sideways following thercontour of the road. 1' c .ilheroadvehicle, generally designated 9, in-

r cludes. a chassis 90. road wheelsi -aihood 92 enclosing the engine, the drivers seatiiaj'and suitable ccntrols 9 i.; The details ,of the vehicle, aslh as been indicated, are of no importance in the present invention. Bower for rotating, the broomis derived from a separate motor, as will shortlyappear. H v c W s For convenience of mounting the brush upon such a vehicle and dismoiinting it therefrom we provide an adaptor framejincluding the 'longltue ,glinals fiiywhicli'lcoincide with'the chassis iii and are secured'therto by convenient means such-as the bolts'8l'. The two "longitudinais 8G are'joined by a 'front "plate 82 which projectsin "front of and somewhatbelow the chassis-"in relation to the vehicle illustrated; Upon this plate '32 "is mounted the main support of thebroom I from the vehicle, this main support --cons'is'ting of a universal joint=-8. lnsofarzas the principle 0f operation is concerned, it may be considered that the supporting "structure, :down to the universal joint 8, is part of the vehicle itself, inasmuch as the separate supporting frame is merely for convenience of attachment to and detachment from the vehicle 9.

The broom I is journaled at II in a rugged journal frame l0, having a rearward extension i2, Whereon is carried a part of the universal joint 8. The universal joint is of any suitable type, but should be so arranged that it affords movement of the broom l and of the frame If! about at least two axes, and preferably about three axes, each of which is at right angles to the other two. The first such axis is a centrally disposed horizontal longitudinal axis, represented at I, which permits sidewise tilting of the broom l and frame ID. The second axis is an upright axis, represented at II, which permits sidewise swinging of the broom and adjustment of the angle of its axis of rotation with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle I and the direction of movement. The third axis, represented at III, is a transverse, substantially horizontal axis, and this permits bodily lifting of the broom clear of the roadway. If each of these three axes intersects in the universal joint, as is preferred but not strictly essential, movement of the broom about any one of these axes, or about any two of them, will not affect nor be affected by its posltion with respect to the other axis or axes.

The broom is preferably rotated by power drive mechanism which includes the motor 1 carried upon the journal frame l0, upon brackets ill, the drive chain ll running over suitable sprockets on the engine shaft and upon the brush shaft, respectively, as seen in Figure 1, and a clutch 15. The drive is thus extremely simple and rugged.

This assembly, including the broom, frame, and hood, isratner heavy. It is supported mainly by the universal joint 8, which has no rigidity, yet the heavy assembly may not be permitted to support its entire weight upon the bristles of the broom bearing upon the roadway, for it is necessary that the bristles be free to brush fairly lightly over the roadway, for the best effect. Moreover, it is necessary to lift the broom bodily clear of the roadway when transporting it from placeto place. i urther supporting and movement-limiting or governing means must be provided, and these must react primarily from the adapter frame 80, 82. e 7

Accordingly, to support the brush we provide an auxiliary support, in addition to the universal joint at 8, the auxiliary support including a leg or A-frame 2 pivoted upon the frame members 8i upon a transverse axis at 211, and carrying, adjacent its upper end, well above the universal joint at 8, a sheave 2i. This sheave is supported generally in the axis II. A bridle formed by the cable 22, passing over the sheave and secured at 23 to the opposite ends of the frame it, will support such proportion of the weight of the broom as is desired when the leg 2 is suitably held upright, and the bridle permits sidewise tilting of the broom, as roadway conditions dictate, thus permitting the broom to bear with the same force upon the roadway, throughout its length, regardless of inequalities of surface. A spring 24, connected between the leg 2 and a bracket 84 upon each of the frame members 30, takes a part of the weight of the broom, and the remainder, a -sufficiehtly small proportion to'be handled by the operator, is taken bya tension member such as the cable or rod 25 extending from the leg 2to a control lever 26 adjacent, the operator's seat 93.

The operating lever 26 is provided with a holding dog 21 cooperating with a quadrant 28 secured to the chassis 9B, which is preferably notched. The effective length of the rod or cable 25, and therefore the proportion of the weight of the broom which is permitted to rest upon the roadway, is adjusted initially, and from time to time as the broom wears away, by means such as the turn-buckle 28. The adjustment during operation is by means of the lever 26 and quadrant 28.

The broom is transversely swingable about the vertical axis II, but it must be held in its position of adjustment, whether that be straight ahead or swung to the right or to the left. To this end we provide chains or similar elements, indicated at 3, extending from eyes 30 adjacent the ends of the frame to hooks or similar securing means 85 carried upon the longitudinals 80 of the adapter frame. By increasing the eifectlve length of one chain and taking up on the other, the broom may be swung about the axis II and held in any transversely swungadjusted position. The effective length of the chains may be adjusted by turnbuckles 33. Since the sheave 2| is included in the axis'II about which this transverse swinging is accomplished, it will be evident that the transverse swinging of the broom from one position to another does not in any way affect the support of the broom, nor the proportion of its weight which is permitted to rest upon the roadway, nor the sidewise tilting adjustment of the broom.

The broom is tiltable sidewise about the axis I, as has already been pointed out. it In so tilting the bridle 2| is in effect shortened at one side and correspondingly lengthened at the opposite side, the cable 22 running back and forth to a limited extent through the sheave 2i as the broom tilts, and the bridle, composed of the cable 22, always supports the main weight of the broom. However, to further support the broom to tend to return it, after tilting, always to'its neutral position, substantially horizontal, we provide an arm 40, which is pivoted between its ends at 4! in the axis II, and extension springs 4 which extend between the ends of the arm 40 and the corresponding ends of the frame l0. Since the pivot 4| of the arm 40 lie in the axis II about which the transverse swinging of the broom is accomplished, the arm follows the transverse swinging of the broom, but not its sidewise tilting, and the support of the broom and the equalization ofits sidewise tilting, due to the-springs 4, is not affected by any sidewise swinging of the broom.

When it is desired to lift the broom clear of the ground, or to adjustits position bodily vertically, this may be accomplished without material disturbance of any other adjustment or support, by merely pulling back the control handle 26, from the drivers seat. This acts through the cable or rod 25, the leg 2, and the bridle 22 to lift the forward portion of the frame ID about the axis III. The springs 4' are thereby relaxed somewhat, but still have suificient force to maintain the broomsubstantially horizontal. The chains 3 slack off somewhat, but not sufficiently to permit any undue swinging of the broom from side to side. The springs 24 relax somewhat, but maybe so arranged that they still bear a material part of the weight of the broom.

The motor I is" preferably mounted upon the frame In and partakes of all the movements of the frame and of the broom. In'this way a simple drive arrangement of the broom is afiorded. The

, assesses motor fl has aerationengageable to unde ag broom buifrno materiell adjustment ofthe morons: speed is required, and: therefore no throttle connot is provided for theoperator, but it able that the operatorbe enabled, from h at 99; tostop' the motorfl if sees be. To this-end an ignition' control switch 7 3* is prov'i'ded on thevehicle 9 adjacent'thedrivers seatdfi 'and awii e T l extendsthence to the motor 1.- Y a s Should it-bedesired to dismount the brush for: the purpose or using the. vehicle 9; for otl ier-pur-- poses temporarily (for example; to use a gras's cutter mounted along one'sideb it' is only neoe's sary to remove the'four bolts: 81 one oneach sid'e' of-iihe vehicle 9i andite disconnecii therod It' l from! the'control handle: ifii 'I he handle 2% is not in the wa-y, although it, to o'; can readily'be remove'dg. orby rearward-extension or a frame-member: 8b; the handle 26 mig liii be mounted upon de-- mountable adaptenframei With: the abovedis connections made theentire brusn may be: re moved f 'rom theyehicle as--az'complete unit; It can be restoredwitlr equal facility, without dis-- turbance ofl-theoperative -relationship ofi its parts; (id? is tobeparti'cularl-Y' noted that the broom: may be s ung transverselyg as shown Figure: 2'; either to" right or to left or straight. ahead; and inany position it has=full freedom to tiltside as tlie oontour of the roadwaymay requir'et l ii rewise-"in any sidewise tilted? position or in: any transversely swung position ofthebroomit may; belifted clear of*' themessage-r" itspressure: upon-the roadway may beconveniently adjustedi. ihe bru'sn has been shown-as mounted at the front of the vehiclediaswould 'be custom'ary; but. it might, if preferred, be mounted at the rear thereofi Ilik-ewise while it would normally brush forwardly, it may pose arranged as to brush to the rear, or in the opposite direction to that shown.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. In combination with a road vehicle, a transversely extending road broom, a single universal joint between the vehicle and the broom, centrally disposed and arranged to afford pivotal sidewise tilting'movement of the broom, trans-, verse swinging thereof, and its bodily vertical movement about a transverse horizontal axis, and an auxiliary support pivoted upon the vehicle upon a transverse horizontal axis, spaced from the brooms corresponding axis, said auxiliary support being disposed above the broom and in line with the axis of transverse swinging, tension means extending thence to the opposite ends of the frame, and mutually and oppositely extensible and contractible in effective length to permit the sidewise pivotal tilting, and means to shift said auxiliary support rearwardiy about its transverse axis, thereby to move the broom bodily, through the tension means, about its own transverse horizontal axis, clear of the roadway.

2. In combination with a road vehicle, a transversely extending road broom, a universalmounting between the vehicle and the broom, centrally disposed and arranged to afford sidewisetilting movement of the broom, and transverse swinging thereof, an arm pivoted between its ends above and substantially in line with the axis of transverse swinging, and means extending between the opposite ends of said arm and the corresponding ends of the broom, tending to support the broom in level position, but yieldable to permit its tilting, and swingable with the broom as it swings transversely.

r combination mead! vehicle; stress:

versely extending'road broomt auniversal marines. Y

ing, a 1 name 'w-nereon 'tne bmsn ournaleds summers-at mounting -between -th "yearns-ana the broont; centrally di posed and arrangedafford pivotal movement of tire-"broom: abouli thereof, and for bodily and downthereof, an arm' pivoted between its ends above and substantially'i n line with the: axis of trans verse swinging, means extending between the:

opposite'eniis or ai 'efarm anerti-ie corresponding! ends of the broom, tnding to supphrt thebroom level position, but yield'able to'permi its til t ing; and swingalele with line broomda's swings transversely, an auxiliary *siipportoarriedfby' tlie vehieleandlocated above said armandin-tlire axis of transver e swinging; tension means extending the'neeto the opposite ends of; the: broom, and t e-shift said auxiliary supportgneanwaruly;

thereby to tilt the broom and to lift some clear of'theroadlwa/y'. a; In combination with al-rdad vehiolhpatnanw versely extending roa'd' broonigai universally tilt-e ing in any transversely swung position, and

means reacting from the vehicle to swing the leg rearwardly, and, through said cable, to swing the broom upwardly, in any adjusted position of the broom, clear of the roadway.

5. In combination'with a road vehicle, a transversely extending road broom, a universal mounting between the vehicle and the broom disposed and arranged to aiford sidewise tilting movement of the broom, transverse swinging thereof,'and bodily up and down movement thereof, an arm pivoted between its ends above and substantially in line with the axis of transverse swinging, extension'springs between the opposite ends of said arm and the corresponding ends of the broom,

tending to support the broom in level position, and swingable with the broom, means to adjust and fix the transversely swung position of the broom, a leg pivoted upon a transverse axis upon I the vehicle, a tension member extending from said leg to the broom, as a support for the broom, and means to tilt said leg to lift the broom bodily clear of the roadway.

6. In combination with a road vehicle, a rigid supporting frame, a single, substantially universal pivotal support for the frame from the vehicle, arranged to permit bodily movement of the frame about three distinct axes, namely, for sidewise tilting about a first, longitudinal horizontal axis, for transverse swinging about a second, upright axis, and for bodily up and down movement about a third, transverse horizontal axis, a road broom rigidly supported in said frame, for adjustment relative to the roadway solely by means of adjustment of the frame relative to the vehicle, means reacting between the vehicle and movement H H the opposite ennsof the broom,t whereby to support the loroonr"forsidewise tiltthe frame to fix the position of the broom about each of thesecond and third axes, an arm pivotally mounted upon the vehicle for swinging about the second axis, and spring means interposed between the frame and said arm, tending to maintain the position of the frame and broom about the first axis, in all :positions around the second axis, but yieldable topermittheir bodily sidewise tilting about the first axis. g q

7. In combination, with a road vehicle, a transversely extending road broom, a single pivot means supporting the broom from the vehicle for bodily movement about at least two axes which intersect in v a common point, namely, a first, longitudinal horizontal axis for sidewise tilting, and a second, transverse horizontal axis for raising and lowering, said pivot means being disposed behind the broom and centrally between its ends. U 8. In combinationwith a road vehicle, a transversely extending road broom, a single pivot mean supportingthe broom from the vehicle for bodily movement about a first, longitudinal horizontal axis for sidewise tilting, and about a second, upright axis for transverse swinging, said pivot means being disposed behind the broom and centrally between its ends, an auxiliary support carried by the vehicle and pivoted above the broom for swinging only about the brooms second axis, and means supporting the ends of the broom from the respective ends of the auxiliary support, and yieldable for tilting of the. broom bodily about its first axis.

9. In combination with a road vehicle, a road broom, a rigid frame whereon said broom is mounted, and a single universal pivot support mounting said frame upon said vehicle for swinging movements of the frame and broom about three axes intersecting in a common point,

namely, a tilting axis extending generally horizontally and generally longitudinal relative to the vehicle, an upright axis for lateral swinging to positions diagonal with respect to the longi tudinalaxis of the vehicle, and a horizontal axis extending transversely relative to the vehicle for movement to lowered, and raised operative and inoperative positions, respectively,

10. In combination with a road vehicle, a road broom, a rigid frame whereon said broom is mounted, pivot means supporting said frame from said vehicle for sidewise tilting of the frame and broom about an axis extending generally horizontally and generally longitudinally relative to the vehicle, and resilient means reacting from the vehicle tending to restrain tilting of the frame about such axis, butyieldable to permit sidewise tilting of the frame to, dispose the brush generally parallel to the road surface.

11. In combination with a road vehicle, a road:

broom, a rigid frame whereon said broom mounted, pivot means supporting said frame from said vehicle for sidewise tilting of the frame and broom about an axis extending generally horizontally and generally longitudinally relative to the vehicle, and also for swinging about ORA W. BENTLEY. CHAS. L. STOVER.

Patent No. 2,550,025.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

September 21, 19L 5.

ORA W. BENTLEY, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above 0nd column,

mounting, a

ters Patent may conform nmnbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, seclines 2 and 5, claim 5, after "broom" strike out "a universal frame whereon the brush is journaled,"; and that the said Letshould be read with this correction therein that the same to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of November, A. D. 19%.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdale, Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

